Angelo State University facts for kids
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Former name
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San Angelo College (1928–1965) Angelo State College (1965–1969) |
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| Motto | Fiat Lux |
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Motto in English
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Let there be light |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1928 |
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Parent institution
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Texas Tech University System |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $248.15 million (2023) (ASU only) $1.78 billion (2023) (system-wide) |
| President | Lt. General Ronnie Hawkins |
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Academic staff
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555 |
| Students | 10,775 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
31°26′16″N 100°27′39″W / 31.43778°N 100.46083°W |
| Campus | Urban, 268 acre (1.1 km²) |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname | Rams |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division II – Lone Star |
| Mascot | Dominic the Ram(live) Roscoe and Bella(costumed) |
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Angelo State University (ASU) is a public university located in San Angelo, Texas. It first opened its doors in 1928 as San Angelo College. Over the years, it grew and became a university.
ASU started giving out bachelor's degrees in 1967. It began offering master's degrees in 1969. That same year, it officially became Angelo State University. Today, ASU offers many different study programs. It is also the second-largest campus in the Texas Tech University System.
Contents
History of Angelo State University
How ASU Started
Angelo State University began in 1928 as San Angelo College. It was a two-year college back then. The college was part of the city's school system. For many years, it was located on North Oakes Street.
In 1945, people in Tom Green County voted to create a county junior college district. They also elected the first board of trustees. The first building on the current university site was built in 1947.
Becoming a University
The college quickly grew from a local junior college into a full university. In 1965, San Angelo College became Angelo State College. This change happened because of a law passed in 1963.
The college started giving out its first bachelor's degrees in May 1967. Just a few years later, in May 1969, the school's name changed again to Angelo State University.
Growth and New Programs
The university started its graduate program in 1970. This allowed students to earn advanced degrees. In 1975, Angelo State University joined the Texas State University System.
Later, in 2007, the university's alumni decided they wanted ASU to join the Texas Tech University System. This idea was very popular in San Angelo and Lubbock. The change was approved and became official in late 2007.
In 2009, ASU started its first doctoral program. This was a doctorate in physical therapy. In 2013, the university raised $35 million. This money helped build new facilities, create scholarships, and support academic programs.
Academics at ASU
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Students at Angelo State come from all over Texas. They also come from 46 other states and 22 different countries. The university is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means it meets high standards for education.
ASU offers many different study options. Students can choose from 35 minor programs. There are also 50 bachelor's degrees and 31 master's degrees. In 2009, the university began offering doctoral degrees. The first one was in physical therapy.
The university has six main colleges. These include colleges for business, education, arts and humanities, health services, science and engineering, and graduate studies.
ASU Rankings
Angelo State University is often recognized for its quality.
- U.S. News & World Report ranked ASU's online graduate education program highly in the nation. Its graduate nursing program was also ranked among the best.
- US Veterans magazine named ASU a "Best of the Best" school for veterans.
- On Wall Street magazine listed ASU as one of the top schools for financial planners.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education has named ASU one of the "Great Colleges to Work For" multiple times. This shows it's a good place for teachers and staff.
ASU Campus
The main campus of Angelo State University covers 268 acres. It has a beautiful tree-lined walkway called the campus mall. This walkway is over 1 mile long. It connects most of the main buildings. The campus has grown a lot since 1965. It now has over 60 buildings.
Some important buildings include the Porter Henderson Library and the Raymond M. Cavness Science Building. There are also several residence halls for students. The Houston Harte University Center was updated in 1971. The Mayer Museum, which has art, history, and science exhibits, was finished in 2021.
The Robert and Nona Carr Education-Fine Arts Building was completed in 1976. It has modern spaces for art, music, communications, drama, and journalism. It also includes a theater and a recital hall. The Emil C. Rassman Building, built in 1983, houses business and aerospace studies departments.
The Lloyd D. and Johnell S. Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building opened in 1985. It has about 73,000 square feet of space. This building is home to the nursing program and the Physics and Geosciences Department. It also has one of the largest planetariums among colleges. The planetarium has a 50-foot dome and seats 114 people. It is used for classes and public shows.
The Mathematics-Computer Science Building was finished in 1996. It houses the math and computer science departments. Recent additions to campus include new residences and an extra floor for the library.
ASU also has a large ranch called the Management Instruction and Research Center. This 6,000-acre ranch is used for animal science and biology programs. It also supports research activities.
Safety and Security on Campus
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Angelo State takes student safety seriously. There are 16 emergency call boxes around campus. If you need help, these boxes connect directly to the Angelo State Police Department.
ASU also has a "Lifeline App" for phones. This app can send for help if you are in trouble. It can also use your GPS location to send police to you quickly. The Angelo State University Police Department has 14 full-time police officers. They patrol the campus 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The ASU alert system sends messages to all campus emails and phones during emergencies.
Student Life at ASU
ASU has many ways for students to get involved. There are several fraternities and sororities. Students can also join honor societies, religious groups, and sports teams.
The Houston Harte University Center is a popular spot for students. It has pool tables, ping pong, and air hockey. There are also comfortable areas for students to relax and meet. The center offers eight different places to eat, including Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Subway. It also has a student credit union, the campus bookstore, and a post office.
The ASU Lake House
Students can enjoy the Angelo State Lake House at nearby Lake Nasworthy. This off-campus spot offers many fun activities. It has lake and beach access, a basketball court, and sand volleyball courts. Students can also use canoes and kayaks for free. The Lake House also has rooms for meetings and cooking.
Student Housing
The university provides housing for over 2,500 students on campus. More than 25% of students live in campus housing. ASU's dorms have been ranked among the "Most Inviting Yet Affordable College Dorms in America."
All housing units have their own air conditioning. They also have phone and cable TV service. Students get data connections and access to the university's Wi-Fi network. Rent includes all utilities. The seven residence halls offer different types of rooms. Some are traditional dorms, while others have private bedrooms with a shared living area and kitchenette. Resident assistants live in each hall to help students.
Student Media
ASU has its own student media.
- Ram TV is available on local cable channel 6. It broadcasts 24 hours a day.
- The Ram Page is the university's official weekly student newspaper.
- The Ramdiculous Page is a satirical newspaper made by students.
- Ram Radio is an online station that broadcasts all day.
- Students can also get ASU news on their iPhones with the ASU Mobile app.
All student media offices and studios are located in the library.
Intramural and Club Sports
ASU has great facilities for intramural sports. The intramural complex has over 235,000 square feet of artificial turf. This includes fields for flag football, softball, soccer, and rugby. The fields are lit for night games. Intramural basketball games are played in the Center for Human Performance gym. There are also racquetball courts. ASU's competitive flag football teams have won national championships in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013.
ASU Athletics
Angelo State's sports teams are called the Rams. The university competes in NCAA Division II sports. They are part of the Lone Star Conference.
ASU has 13 different sports teams.
- Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and track & field.
- Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
ASU athletic games often have a lot of fans. In the last 20 years, attendance at ASU games has been in the top 20 schools in the nation 15 times.
ASU Traditions
Ram Jam
Ram Jam is a big pre-game football party. It was started by the Alumni Association in 2003. Students, alumni, and community members gather outside the LeGrand Alumni Center. They grill food and socialize. These events often have local bands for entertainment. There is also free food, drinks, bounce houses, and games for kids. The Ram Band, the Angelettes dance team, and the ASU Cheerleaders perform. Everyone then walks to the stadium for the game.
Ring Ceremony
Before each graduation, the ASU Alumni Association holds a ring ceremony. The university president gives class rings to students. ASU's mascot, Dominic, is always there. After getting their rings, students touch their rings to Dominic's horns for strength. They might also rub them through his wool for good luck.
The official ASU ring was introduced in 2003. The top of the ring shows the ASU seal. One side has the State of Texas with a star marking San Angelo. Below that is an oak branch. The other side shows an image of the mascot, Dominic.
ASU Mascots
Angelo State's live ram mascot has been called "Dominic" since 1964. Students voted to give him this name. Today, Dominic is a regular at ASU events. You can often see him near the end zone at football games.
ASU also has two costumed mascots named Roscoe and Bella. They appear at most sports events and community activities. They lead cheers and interact with fans. Roscoe has been around since the 1960s. Bella first appeared in October 2010. The students who play Roscoe and Bella keep their identities a secret.
Notable People from ASU
Angelo State University has many successful former students. These alumni have achieved great things in Texas and across the country. They include leaders at major companies and award-winning actors and musicians. Some have won the Super Bowl. Others have written best-selling books. ASU alumni also include Texas Supreme Court justices, state representatives, and United States congressmen.
